Gallup Poll: Number Claiming to Be Democrats Drops From 50% to 43%

Indications have increased during the past two years that the Democratic Party has been losing popularity — and here’s another. The portion of Americans identifying themselves as Democrats has dropped to 43 percent from 50 percent in early 2008, according to a new Gallup poll.

Meanwhile, the portion identifying themselves as Republicans has increased to 40 percent from 37 percent. The number of independents has risen to 15 percent from 12 percent.

The Democratic Party also has turned more liberal. The survey showed that 37 percent of Democrats, which includes independents who lean Democratic, call themselves “liberal,” up from 35 percent in 2008.

Among Americans as a whole, the amount of conservatives rose to 42 percent from 40 percent, and the number of liberals slid to 21 percent from 22 percent, according to the poll, which has a margin of error of one percentage point.

As for racial composition, the Democratic Party has turned less white. Caucasians account for 63 percent of Democrats now, down from 66 percent three years ago. The amount of African-Americans rose to 19 from 16 percent, and Hispanics rose to 14 percent from 12 percent.

For Americans as a whole, 72 percent are white.

The Democratic Party also has turned more into one of youth. The portion of Democrats between 18 and 29 has appreciated to 22 percent from 20 percent in 2008. And the ratio of Democrats between 30 and 49 has dipped to 33 percent from 36 percent.

Democrats also skew female, though less so than three years ago. The portion of Democrats who are women totals 55 percent, down from 56 percent in 2008, but well above females’ 51 percent total for the population as a whole.

Democrats have turned less religious since 2008. Now 52 percent of them seldom or never attend church, up from 50 percent in 2008. For Americans as a whole, 46 percent seldom or never attend church.

In terms of education, 32 percent of Democrats are college graduates, compared with 30 percent for Americans as a whole.

Indications have increased during the past two years that the Democratic Party has been losing popularity and here s another. The portion of Americans identifying themselves as Democrats has dropped to 43 percent from 50 percent in early 2008, according to a new Gallup...